As of January 21, 2026, the National Institute of Design (NID) has progressed to the hands-on evaluation phase for the 2026-27 cycle. Following the December Prelims, shortlisted M.Des candidates are now preparing for portfolio reviews and discipline-specific interviews. The B.Des Mains, comprising the critical Studio Test, is tentatively scheduled for April and May 2026 across major NID campuses. Aspirants must ensure their portfolios demonstrate creative process and material handling to secure a spot in the final merit list.

The National Institute of Design (NID) has officially entered the most decisive phase of its 2026 admission cycle. With the Design Aptitude Test (DAT) Prelims concluded on December 21, 2025, the focus for thousands of design aspirants has shifted toward the DAT Mains. This secondary stage is a high-pressure environment where candidates must transition from theoretical sketching to physical model-making and personal presentation. Unlike the Prelims, which serve primarily as a screening filter, the Mains performance accounts for the entirety of the final selection weightage for the 2026-27 academic year.

The Shift to Hands-On Evaluation

For the 2026 session, NID has implemented a significant change where the Prelims scores are used only for shortlisting and do not contribute to the final merit list. This makes the upcoming Portfolio review and Studio Test the sole determinants of a candidate's rank.

• Studio Test Components: B.Des and M.Des candidates will face a series of hands-on challenges, including material handling, 3D modeling, and sensory evaluation tasks.
• M.Des Interview Focus: For postgraduate applicants, the Personal Interview carries a heavy 60% weightage, often revolving around the candidate’s professional Portfolio and their specific discipline fit.
• Faculty Stream-Specific Testing: M.Des aspirants now undergo a single faculty-stream studio test instead of multiple tests for different disciplines, though interviews remain discipline-specific.
• Creative Documentation: Candidates are currently curating their best works to ensure their Portfolio showcases a clear evolution of thought rather than just finished products.

Key Timelines for NID DAT Mains 2026

Shortlisted candidates must keep a close watch on the official admissions portal for campus-specific slot bookings and admit card releases.

• Admit Card Availability: The hall ticket for the Mains stage is typically released 10–14 days before the scheduled studio test date.
• Shortlisting Ratios: Only 1.5 times the number of available seats (per category) are called for the B.Des Mains, while M.Des sees a shortlist of approximately 4.5 times the seat count.
• Minimum Thresholds: Candidates must meet the category-specific minimum qualifying marks in the Portfolio and Studio rounds to be considered for admission.

Preparing for Portfolio Reviews and Interviews

The Portfolio is often considered the "visual resume" of a designer. During the ongoing preparation phase, mentors advise focusing on "process over polish."

• Variety of Media: Successful candidates often include a mix of digital work, hand-drawn sketches, photography, and physical prototypes in their Portfolio.
• Interview Readiness: Panels at NID Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Bengaluru look for clarity of thought and a deep understanding of why a candidate chose their specific Mains discipline.
• Physical Verification: While initial stages are digital, final admission is subject to the physical verification of original creative works and academic documents in June 2026.

Conclusion

As the NID DAT 2026 cycle moves into the Mains phase, the stakes for design aspirants have never been higher. The transition from the broad-based Prelims to the specialized Portfolio reviews marks the final hurdle in securing a seat at India's premier design institute. With the M.Des Prelims results expected in mid-February, candidates should utilize the current window to refine their studio skills and document their creative journeys. The 2026-27 batch will ultimately be defined by those who can best articulate their design vision through both their hands and their words during these rigorous final stages.